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Saturday, September 21, 2013

Sporting KC claims share of first place with 2-1 win in Toronto

SportingKC.comSporting Kansas City moved back into first place in the Eastern Conference with a 2-1 win over Toronto FC on Saturday afternoon at BMO Field. C.J. Sapong scored twice as Sporting KC won their third consecutive League match.

Sapong scored a goal in each half for the first multi-goal game of his career. Sporting KC improved to 16-0-2 when Sapong scores in MLS competition.The third-year striker opened the scoring in the 18th minute. Graham Zusi lofted a cross into the Toronto FC penalty box. Dom Dwyer headed the ball back across the middle and Sapong buried the header past goalkeeper Joe Bendik from the top of the six-yard box. Sapong has recorded a goal or an assist in three consecutive league matches.

Toronto FC settled down after the goal and found their equalizer in the 44th minute.Alvaro Rey picked up an errant pass deep in Sporting KC territory. The Spanish midfielder found an open Darel Russell who pulled his shot between goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen and the near post.Nielsen made one save on the day, a stop on Toronto FC's Andrew Wiedeman in the first half. The Danish goalkeeper started his 85th consecutive MLS match, the third-longest streak in MLS history.Sapong scored the eventual game-winner for Sporting KC in the 53rd minute. Zusi played a quick throw-in to Chance Myers. The right back took one touch and curled a perfectly placed ball to the penalty spot. Sapong beat right back Mark Bloom to the spot and headed the ball to the far corner past Bendik.Toronto FC played the final four minutes of the match with 10 men after Steven Caldwell was issued a straight red card for a studs-up challenge on Josh Gardner.Sporting KC is now tied with the New York Red Bulls with 48 points atop the Eastern Conference. The Red Bulls host FC Dallas on Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m.Sporting KC has a short week as they prepare for Friday night's match against the Philadelphia Union. The nationally-televised contest (NBC Sports Network) will kick off at 7 p.m. CT at Sporting Park.Limited tickets are available, including standing room only tickets, and can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com.